I found a couple of the available Youtube reviews somewhat helpful:
I also saw someone on another forum claim that their Rokinon branded lens had a plastic mount while the Samyang is reported to have a metal mount. Haven't been able to confirm though.
Used copies of the Sony/Zeiss 35mm f/2.8 are starting to hit the $500-550 mark so for me I'd pay the $100 premium for it. At $399 the Samyang is a bit of hard sell, if it were say $299 I think it'd be a better value. Especially since some are reporting that the AF motor is a little bit noisy.
TMaG82 wrote:
Used copies of the Sony/Zeiss 35mm f/2.8 are starting to hit the $500-550 mark so for me I'd pay the $100 premium for it. At $399 the Samyang is a bit of hard sell, if it were say $299 I think it'd be a better value. Especially since some are reporting that the AF motor is a little bit noisy.
I picked up my Sony/Zeiss 35 2.8 for $450 shipped on the B&S boards a few months ago, just gotta be patient. And for that reason I'm fine passing on the Samyang, but would be all over an AF version of their 135mm f/2....I gotta believe they know that'd be a hit & have it currently under development.
TMaG82 wrote:
Used copies of the Sony/Zeiss 35mm f/2.8 are starting to hit the $500-550 mark so for me I'd pay the $100 premium for it. At $399 the Samyang is a bit of hard sell, if it were say $299 I think it'd be a better value. Especially since some are reporting that the AF motor is a little bit noisy.
The Rokinon version is available now from some authorized retailers for $349. That makes it more tempting to me.
Best Price Optics is the US distributor for Samyang / Rokinon, they have it on eBay for $349. Agree you can get a used Sony for $475 or so. But if new they are $349 you'll see used for $225-$250 in a couple months.
I've seen the ePhotozine before. Was more hoping someone on here would have bought one and given thoughts. I expect IQ to be fine, but real shooters (not testers) sometimes have other takes on things.
The Sony version of this lens, even the used one, is more expensive, but it has built a certain reputation. Although percentage-wise the difference seems to be significant but we are not talking about an excessively expensive lens to begin with. So, the questions comes down to do you want to gamble to save a little? In addition, you buy a lens with the intention of using it but if it is coming down to reselling it later, I bet you anything that the Sony lens will retain its value better. Just saying...
AGeoJO wrote:
The Sony version of this lens, even the used one, is more expensive, but it has built a certain reputation. Although percentage-wise the difference seems to be significant but we are not talking about an excessively expensive lens to begin with. So, the questions comes down to do you want to gamble to save a little? In addition, you buy a lens with the intention of using it but if it is coming down to reselling it later, I bet you anything that the Sony lens will retain its value better. Just saying...
For a 35mm 2.8 lens, the Sony is very expensive at the $800 list price.
It's not much of a gamble. Try it, if you don't find it adequate, return it.
I don't buy lenses with the consideration of resale value. They aren't an investment.
Having said that, I'll probably wait for another price drop or wait until I can get the Sony for $450 as someone else was able to do.
jwpstl wrote:
For a 35mm 2.8 lens, the Sony is very expensive at the $800 list price.
It's not much of a gamble. Try it, if you don't find it adequate, return it.
I don't buy lenses with the consideration of resale value. They aren't an investment.
Having said that, I'll probably wait for another price drop or wait until I can get the Sony for $450 as someone else was able to do.
I didn't refer to a brand new list price of the Sony lens. I even mentioned that even a used Sony is more expensive than the new Samyang. This lens has been out for 3 years or so. I bought mine used for the price of a new Samyang but if you still want to pay the list price for the Sony, be my guest. And, please don't lecture me about lenses not being investment.... .
AGeoJO wrote:
I didn't refer to a brand new list price of the Sony lens. I even mentioned that even a used Sony is more expensive than the new Samyang. This lens has been out for 3 years or so. I bought mine used for the price of a new Samyang but if you still want to pay the list price for the Sony, be my guest. And, please don't lecture me about lenses not being investment.... .
I don't pay list price for anything. You said "we are not talking about an excessively expensive lens to begin with". And it is expensive "to begin with". I'm not a fan of comparing used prices for one with new prices for another. Once the Samyang/Rokinon has been out for awhile like the Sony, the prices will drop and the Sony will still be expensive.
Lecture? Feeling persecuted? What I said was " I don't buy lenses with the consideration of resale value." I didn't say "you shouldn't" or "no one should". "I" means the person writing. If I were going to lecture you, you'd know it. Actually, I guess you wouldn't since you thought that was a lecture. Off to work.
jwpstl wrote:
I don't pay list price for anything. You said "we are not talking about an excessively expensive lens to begin with". And it is expensive "to begin with". I'm not a fan of comparing used prices for one with new prices for another. Once the Samyang/Rokinon has been out for awhile like the Sony, the prices will drop and the Sony will still be expensive.
Lecture? Feeling persecuted? What I said was " I don't buy lenses with the consideration of resale value." I didn't say "you shouldn't" or "no one should". "I" means the person writing. If I were going to lecture you, you'd know it. Actually, I guess you wouldn't since you thought that was a lecture. Off to work....Show more →
What I meant with "not excessively expensive to begin with" was not the original list price but a price range of a few hundreds rather than a few thousands. As far as saying about not lecturing... hm, do you see the at the end of my sentence? It doesn't look like you did or know what that implies but never mind. I am done here, too.
Ended up getting the Sony for $475, so while it's nice to see this drop to $299, for the quiet AF and for maximum resale value, the Sony was worth the extra little bit for me.
Yep went the open box route for the Sony version.
I wonder if the Samyang has the same type of hood that the Sony has allowing use of the 40.5mm filters. I like this filter size because I rarely use filters and they take up little room.
Yes, one would have thought that they (Ephotozine) would have reviewed the Sony 35/2.8 by now so there could be a direct comparison between the two . . .
I like my Sony, but it definitely has some shortfalls that the Samyang could potentially beat it in.
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